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Talkback: Death in mysterious circumstances

Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
in Talkback
When I first moved here I purchased a bird bath and table to encourage the birds but have had no visitors because the neighbouring cats love to sit in my garden. So since a cat caught a bird I have disposed of the bird assessories and now enjoy the cats company and take my bird food to the woods where there is a large clearing.
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  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Its nature isn't it! my siamese used to bring rats in and let them loose to run around inside! she obviously thought she was doing me a favour. I think its a case of swings and roundabouts, they keep the rats and mice down and its survival of the fittest for the rest!
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    recently i visited a local nursery who said they had a very big problem with rabbits and they have tried everything including electric fences. i suggested getting a cat and was told "Oh no a cat wouldnt catch a rabbit", well i said "you must tell that to my cats bert and ernie who between them catch and eat atleast 4 a day and i have the feet and tails and sometimes the ears to proove it" but still they have room for cat food.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I used to have a cat. Usually it would leave presents at my doorstep. Most of the time she would leave a few bones from a mouse or a bird. She ate very healthily so why she would eat the wildlife amazed me. Oh well! At least I know she loved me. Suppose you cannot take the hunter out what used to live completely in the wild.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I have to say I hate cats. They are a pest. Neighbouring cats come into my garden to scare the birds that come to use the feeders. What was particularly upsetting this year was a blackbird fledging that we watched all summer being fed by the parents. Last week it was caught by one of the neighbourhood cats and though it escaped it died of shock. What I particularly hate about cats is the fact that they come in to my garden and use one of my flower beds as a litter tray. Imagine the outcry if I let my dog defecate on the street let alone in someones garden. I would be grateful for any ideas on useful and successful cat deterrents so I can enjoy my garden and the wildlife.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I haven't got a problem with cats, but I have with a Leylandi hedge that is growing out on to the garden. I have been thinking, what if I had it cut severely back to the brown inner branches? Would the green grown on them again?
    Or, would it be best to have it taken out to earth surface level leaving the roots in? What do you suggest?

    Please let me know. I'm sure there are plenty of people with Leylandi hedges of over 20 years who would want to know your professional answers.

  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I inherited a Leylandi hedge in '88. At that time I wasn't into gardening so unfortunately they got very tall! I have removed all the bottom branches up to six foot. The leaves don't grow back and I grow hardy geraniums and laurel underneath them.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Very nice this blog =)
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I have three cats and I also have numerous bird feeders and boxes in the garden as I enjoy watching the visiting birds and wild life. We don't have a problem at all with the cats trying to catch the birds, although they seem to like hunting mice. We very often find all three of them enjoying the sun in the garden, whilst the birds are on the feeders. The cats just don't seem to be bothered as it's far too much effort for them to catch a healthy bird. The only problem we get is the Sparrow Hawk but we hopefully solved that by planting tall bamboo which the smaller birds use to hide in. I think it's far more likely that the Swift was either ill/old or had been injured by a Sparrow hawk rather than any cat getting to it. I've never seen a sparrow hawk going for a swift but I know they do try and get the house martins we have during the summer months.
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    Very nice this blog =)
  • Gardeners' World Web UserGardeners' World Web User Posts: 17,147
    I am pleased to read such rounded cat comments - on the whole. I am the owner(?) of two cats who predominantly catch rats and mice and, very occasionally, birds. We have had a long running cat argument at work and in our discussion topic entitled, "Cats" in our Facebook Group (Wiggly Wigglers). It is, by far, our most popular topic and seems to have attracted several cat haters who seem unable to take a moderate view with regard to our feline friends. It has also been a much discussed topic in our weekly podcasts? Why is this such a hotly debated subject when, as I see it, man has created far more problems for birds than cats alone, such as loss of habitat, cars, pesticides etc etc etc?
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